Re: BJ Ellis’ Reply to K. Crumpler & K. Pelletier (1-27-11)

There
have been several posts lately on “Water Baptism” and the “Born Again”
experience. Appreciably, most views are supported by scripture but it
is not uncommon for man to try to sway others towards his beliefs and
church dogma. For example: Using John 3:5 as the source for believing
and or teaching that speaking in tongues and water baptism are
necessary for salvation is incorrect. If true, then this necessity for
salvation would mean that all Christians who don’t speak in tongues
and/or are not water baptized will not go to heaven but to hell.

Let’s look closely into John 3:3-6.

Jn. 3:3, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jn. 3:4, Nicodemus asks how can someone reenter his mother’s womb?

Jn. 3:5, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Jn. 3:6, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

Verse 3 - Jesus said a person had to be born a second time.

Verse 4
- Nicodemus gives us a clue to the
meaning.

Verse 5
– Jesus talks about being born of water (your first birth – after a
mother’s water sack broke) and of the Spirit (born a second time when
you’re drawn by the Spirit to accept Jesus Christ).

Verse 6 – Tells it all – 1st birth (born of the flesh); 2nd birth (born of the Spirit)

The above verses don’t say anything about Water Baptism nor the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Thought of the day: If a man is born once, he’ll die twice; But, if he’s born twice, he’ll die only once.

(a)Born of water only – followed by natural death plus Lake of Fire. (b) Born of water & Spirit – then natural death or raptured.